‘Save Christmas for our traders’ appeal to Larne public

The Executive’s announcement of two-week circuit breaker in response to the pandemic means non-essential retail closing and the hospitality sector unable to re-open on November 27.

The beleaguered town centre businesses which rely on a festive boost are now depending on social media, online presence, a controlled ‘click and collect’ service and being allowed to open again on December 11 to save some of the season.

Speaking ahead of the Executive’s announcement, the Mayor, Councillor Peter Johnston, said: “We all have a part to play in protecting our community in Mid and East Antrim, and I have been overwhelmed at the spirit of togetherness which has been evident throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. The latest coronavirus restrictions will no doubt have a big impact on our wonderful local businesses, and shoppers will be keen to do all they can to support them in what would normally be the busiest time of the year.

“I would urge everyone to adhere closely to the public health guidelines while out shopping or enjoying a coffee with friends in town. Please wear a face covering, remember to socially distance and exercise good hand and respiratory hygiene at all times.”

With the coronavirus crisis already impacting on earlier planning, the sector is facing an unprecedented challenge.

Even the official countdown to Christmas with the tree lighting ceremony, which would normally see crowds flock to Main Street, was moved online on Friday past.

Many local retailers have tackled reduced high street footfall by upping their web offering, with businesses such as Larne’s Upper Crust and Whitehead’s Marine Clothing featuring on supportlocalni.com.

The online directory was founded earlier this year to help Northern Ireland’s local and independent businesses through the pandemic.

Meanwhile, Larne Renovation Generation has partnered with Mid and East Antrim Borough Council in an effort to boost the post-Covid revitalisation effort in the town.

The ‘Larne Through a Lens’ project will see a community photo exhibition and gallery in one of the empty Main Street premises during the lead up to Christmas.

“The idea of the gallery is to promote the town through pictures of the local landscapes,” LRG said.

The Executive’s announcement of the circuit-breaker took many by surprise and drew anger from Retail NI. Its chief executive Glyn Roberts said: “This appalling decision will be a hammer blow to our already struggling high streets and for thousands of independent retailers forced to close at the most important trading time of the year.”

With a surge of shopping anticipated before Friday, he appealed for people to shop safely and asked them “to make a special effort this week to support independent retailers that are being forced to close for two weeks”.

The Executive announced this week a raft of funding packages including £95million for a High Street Voucher Scheme for a pre-paid card for use on the high street, £55million to extend the Localised Restrictions Support Scheme to include non-essential retail, leisure, and entertainment businesses now forced to close; £10.6million to support 1,000 wet pubs which are experiencing additional financial hardship, £5million to top-up the Tourism and Hospitality Scheme.

Click here to read: Christmas markets ‘being finalised’ for Larne, Carrickfergus and Ballymena

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